Flat panel display system

ABSTRACT

A modular display system for display devices, especially flat screen monitors which is a hub and spoke design whereby multiple monitors are mounted at the same hub height. The display system has means for locking the height of each display device using a cam and brake concept adjusted using a jackscrew. For quick change-out of display devices, a bayonet mount is used to attach the display device to the spokes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] This invention relates to systems for supporting one or moredisplay panels. More particularly, the support system provides a meansfor supporting multiple displays such as flat screen liquid crystaldisplay devices and enables their adjustment so as to maintain thescreens in a common visual plane. The invention particularly relates toa modular hub and spoke system which provides easy alignment, greaterrange of adjustment, and which has, therefore, multiple uses.

[0003] 2. Background and Prior Art

[0004] Computerized workstations can provide very large amounts ofinformation provided that there is adequate display surface area. Banksof cathode ray tube monitors characterize a variety of work stations,including industrial control rooms, television broadcast studios andsecurities brokerages. The evolution of flat screen liquid crystaldisplays (LCD) has greatly reduced the size of monitors as well asdecreased their weight and heat loading. The improved flexibilityavailable for work station design requires methods for mounting multipleflat screens so that they are equally readable from the same viewinglocation (i.e. in the same focal plane) and adjustable for differentusers.

[0005] U.S. Patent publication 2002/0011544A1 discloses a quick-releasesystem for replacing failed display monitors. U.S. Patent publication2001/0045497A1 discloses an adjustable computer work station usingmultiple arms to raise and lower and adjust the angle of a displayscreen and a keyboard. U.S. Pat. No. 5,842,672 discloses a multi-jointedand pivoted support system for a flat panel video display. U.S. Pat. No.5,820,287 discloses an articulated conduit joint involving two arms anda clutched joint to maintain adjusted location.

[0006] Systems for mounting multiple LCD panels heretofore have mountedpanels on a separate support, have ganged panels on a common support baror brace or have articulated each panel from a different point on ahorizontal or vertical support. The result is that there is eitherlimited range of movement for adjusting each panel or that each panelhas a different range of motion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE INVENTION

[0007] It is an object of this invention to provide a system forsupporting displaying devices, especially flat screen LCD monitors whichprovides equivalent ranges of motion for each set of screens. It is afurther objective of this invention to provide a system for supportingflat screen LCD monitors, which can be aligned to provide substantiallyequivalent focal points or focal planes. It is a further object of thisinvention to provide a modular mounting system which is adaptable tomultiple screens using a single mounting system and a single mountingpoint on a desk or other support structure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008]FIG. 1 is a partial sectional view of a hub and a single spoke.

[0009]FIG. 2 is an assembled duplex mounting system.

[0010]FIG. 3 is an assembled quad assembly arrangement.

[0011]FIG. 4 is a stacked quad assembly arrangement.

[0012]FIG. 5 is a cut-away showing the brake assembly for locking theheight setting.

[0013]FIG. 6 is a section of FIG. 5 along line A-A.

[0014]FIGS. 7A and 7B are a plan and elevational view, respectively, ofthe brake cam of the locking device.

[0015]FIG. 8 is a side view of the jack screw of the locking system.

[0016]FIGS. 9A and 9B are perspective views of the brake shoe of thelocking device.

[0017]FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the quick change mounting system.

[0018]FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the monitor mounting bracket.

[0019]FIGS. 12A and 12B are a perspective view of the quick changeswivel plate.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0020] The invention is a hub and spoke design for a mounting system todisplay one or more display devices, especially flat screen LCDmonitors. More particularly, the invention enables the display ofmultiple monitors in a collage format for rapid viewing of multiple setsof information. The invention is characterized by being quicklyadjustable but subsequently easily locked into position. In additional,repairs may be made quickly by rapid change-out of screens. Theinvention will describe in terms of the illustrated embodiments shown inthe drawings.

[0021]FIG. 1 shows a partial sectional view of the components of thisinvention. Hub 1, which for illustrative purposes is shown as a verticaltube, which is firmly mounted at one end (the base, not shown) to adesk, table, wall, furniture panel or accessory hanging system, supportsa socket assembly arm 2. The socket or bore 5 receives a pivot post 7which carries a swivel turret 9 with hinging means such as hinge pins 11and 13. A radius arm 15 and a control arm 17 are carried on the hingepins and connect to a second hinge bracket 19 with respective hinge pins21 and 23 to form a parallelogram. A gas or coil steel spring (not shownbecause it is internal to arm 15) connects swivel turret to the arm 15to stabilize the position of bracket 19. Bracket 19 carries a connector25 which is illustrated as a post-type connector. Internal to 25 is abrake system shown in FIG. 5. A swivel turret 27 attaches to the postand has a fixed length arm 29 extending therefrom. The arm terminates ina swivel or socket 31 to which a short swivel arm 33 is rotatablyattached. The swivel arm is parallel to said fixed length arm 29. Theswivel arm terminates in a mounting bracket 35 which is adjustable abouthinge pin 37. The screen is attached to bracket 35 using a system shownin FIGS. 10-12.

[0022]FIG. 2 shows a duplex mounting arrangement wherein socket assemblyarm 3 has been replaced with a duplex assembly 41 which carries twosockets and supports two arms, each articulated assembly being carriedat the same level on the hub 1.

[0023]FIG. 3 shows a quad socket assembly wherein a section 43 havingfour sockets is attached to the hub 1, the numbers for each elementbeing those described supra.

[0024]FIG. 4 shows an assembly having two quad sockets mounted on thesame hub structure. Again, the numbers for each element are thosedescribed supra.

[0025] Although the invention has been illustrated in terms of a tubularhub, square tubing or channel sections are equally usable. Likewise, ahorizontal brace could be used for the hub and the sockets turned 900compared to that illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 4.

[0026] Critical to the operation of the system is the ability to locateeach screen in a desired position and to hold the screen in thatposition. It is conventional to counterbalance flat screen monitors andother devices which are adjustable vertically using parallel arms hingedat their ends and to suspend them using coiled or gas springs. The forceexerted by the spring induces a lifting force on the parallelogram armwhich is changed by altering the angle of the spring. It thereforefollows, detachment of the screen from the arm would cause a change inheight setting. When multiple screens are placed in close proximity, asin trading and monitoring stations, and a quick change of screen isrequired, it is desirable the height setting of the screen mount remainconstant. For this reason we have devised a method to lock each screenat the desired height setting.

[0027]FIG. 5 shows the locking mechanism in a cut-away. Radius arm 15and control arm 17 are the long parallel arms of the parallelogram. Thebracket 19 and connector housing 25 have been partially cut away toreveal the location of hinge pins 21, 23. A jackscrew 51 is retained byan unthreaded spacer sleeve 55. At the top of the jackscrew is carried acam 57 which is thread locked onto screw 51. The lock of the cam pressesagainst a brake shoe 59 forcing it into axle housing 60 molded into theend of arm 17.

[0028]FIG. 6 shows the relationship of the components along line A-A.

[0029]FIG. 7A is a plan view of cam 57. A circular base rests on thesleeve 51. An eccentric lock 63 projects upwardly, as shown in sideelevation FIG. 7B. The lock contacts the brake shoe 59.

[0030] The jackscrew is shown in FIG. 8. Screw 51 has a head 53 whichprovides a point of engagement. The head may include a lever or thumbscrew (not shown) but the preferred method employs a hex key wrenchengaging in a hex head. The screw which ends in an unthreaded end 69,carries threads over most of its length.

[0031] The brake shoe 59 is shown in top perspective in FIG. 9A and inbottom perspective in FIG. 9B. The brake shoe has a top surface 71, abottom surface 72. On the side facing the hinge pin, a curved contactsurface 73 is formed to engage the housing 60. On the side facing thecam, a cam follower face engages the cam lobe 63. Locating fork 75 restson the top of the cam lobe and surrounds the unthreaded end of screw 51to align the brake with the cam and hinge.

[0032] In operation, when the screen height has been set, the jackscrewis turned to urge the cam into the brake which presses against thehousing 60 around hinge pin 21 to release the lock mechanism. Torelease, it is required only to back the jackscrew off less than half ofa turn.

[0033] Rapid screen changes are available due to the quick changemounting system. The concept is shown in FIG. 10. Flat screen 81 hasthreaded receptacles 83 to which the trapezoidal surface plate 89attaches with machine screws or equivalent fastening means.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 11, each side of the surface plate are channels85, 87 disposed at an angle to the vertical such that the distancebetween the channels is greater at the base of the surface plate than atthe top of the channels. At or near the top of each channel and disposedinwardly of the channel are protuberance 91, 93 from the surface plate.The protuberance needs only be a small fraction of the depth of thechannels. Their function will be discussed below.

[0035] The swivel plate 95 is illustrated in FIGS. 12A and 12B. Obverseface 97 has cantilevered locking tabs 101, 103 projecting vertically oneach side. The plate is trapezoidally shaped to conform to the surfaceof plate 87 with the tabs 101, 103 sized to fit into channels 85, 87respectively. The tabs are flexible over about one half of their upperportion. Countersunk area 105 allows a fastener to be used to secure theplate to bracket 35 without the fastener projecting past the surface ofthe face 97. FIG. 12B shows the reverse face 99. A pedestal area 107conforms to the shape of countersunk area 105 and allows for a spacebetween face 99 and bracket 35.

[0036] Reverting to FIG. 10, it may be seen that the screen is loweredso that the swivel plate 95 slide into bracket 83. Tabs 101, 103 fitinto channels 85, 87. When the tabs and channel fully conform, the endsof the tabs project slightly above the channels. When present, notches109, 111 resist withdrawing the swivel plate from the mounting bracket.To effect removal, the tabs are drawn together, sliding acrossaforementioned protuberances 91, 93 so as to hold the ends of the tabsaway from contact with the top of the channels. The screen can then belifted off of the mount and a new screen installed in two motions. Withthe tabs held inwardly by the protuberances, both hands may be used tohold and manipulate the screen.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

[0037] The structures of this invention are useful in the petrochemicalindustry for monitoring the condition of process equipment, in thedistribution of products to determine, for example, availability status,in the transportation industry for viewing shipping information,departure schedules and service schedules,

[0038] in the brokerage industry for displaying information relating tocommodities and securities. The apparatus may also be used in theentertainment industry when a large picture is formed as a mosaic on anumber of adjacent display screens.

[0039] Changes and departures in this invention may be made by thoseskilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope thereof.Therefore the invention is not intended to be limited by the descriptionand figures but are those as set forth in the following claims.

We claim:
 1. A mounting system at least one display device comprising: asupport hub; a first socket projecting from said support hub; a turretmounted on said first socket having hinging means to connect to a firstend of a radius arm and a first end of a control arm; a second socketwith hinging means to connect to a second end of said radius arm and toa second end of a control arm; a second turret mounted in said secondsocket; a fixed length arm extending away from said second turret; athird socket attached to the end of said fixed length arm; a swivel armrotatably mounted in said third socket; and a mounting bracket for adisplay device hingedly attached to said swivel arm.
 2. A modularmounting system according to claim 1 supporting more than one mountingbracket using more than one first socket.
 3. A modular mounting systemaccording to claim 1 further comprising a means to lock the height ofthe mounting bracket.
 4. A modular mounting system according to claim 1further comprising a bayonet system enabling a quick change method forchanging display devices,
 5. A quick change system for detaching andattaching display devices to a mounting bracket comprising: atrapezoidal display device mount bracket attached to the back of adisplay device, said bracket having a pair of opposed channels atcomplimentary angles whereby the bottoms of said channels are fartherapart than the tops thereof; a swivel plate mounted on said mountingbracket, said swivel plate spaced apart from the surface of saidmounting bracket, said swivel plate being complimentary to said displaydevice mount bracket and having locking tops integrated with the sidesof the swivel plate and being flexible over at least their top halves;whereby the trapezoidal display device mount bracket may be slid oversaid complimentary swivel bracket and held in place by contact betweensaid channels and said locking tabs.
 6. A quick change system accordingto claim 5 further comprising notches at the top of said locking tabswhich extend beyond said walls of said channels to lock the channels andtabs in place.
 7. A quick change system according to claim 6 furthercomprising a pair of protrusions on the face of said display devicemount bracket which hold the locking tabs in place when the tabs areurged toward each other to release the bracket from the swivel bracket.8. A height setting lock means to hold a mounting bracket at a desiredheight comprising: a jackscrew mounted vertically threaded into a sleeveof a socket having hinging means, said jackscrew having its head enddownward; a cam screw locked into said jackscrew; a brake shoe disposedbetween said cam and hinge pin housing of a radius arm.